Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Allentown, PA
VS
Pembroke Pines, FL
🏆 Pembroke Pines leads 13 of 20 categories
Allentown
Pennsylvania
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$52,449
Violent Crime Index
72
Population
125,292
Pembroke Pines
Florida
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$77,657 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
170,472 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Allentown, PA
Pros
Homes cost $211k less ($168,800 vs $379,900)
Rent averages $585/mo less ($1,202 vs $1,787)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Pembroke Pines
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 92°F
Smaller class sizes — 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Pembroke Pines by $25,208/yr
Higher unemployment (9.2% vs 4.7%)
Pembroke Pines, FL
Pros
Households earn $25,208 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.5 pts lower (4.7%)
Milder winters — January highs near 77°F vs 38°F
More college-educated — 36.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $379,900
Higher rents — median is $1,787/mo
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Allentown
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Key Differences at a Glance
Allentown
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Allentown
Median Home Value
$211k less
$168,800 vs $379,900
Pembroke Pines
Median Income
$25,208
$77,657 vs $52,449/yr
Pembroke Pines
Unemployment
4.5 pp lower
4.7% vs 9.2% unemployment
Pembroke Pines
Summer Heat
5.3°F warmer
July avg high 91.7°F vs 86.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pembroke Pines, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $168,800 ✓ Lower | $379,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,202 ✓ Lower | $1,787⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $52,449 | $77,657 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.2%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter | 30.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% | 10.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 73 | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 18.3% | 36.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.9% | 93.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Allentown City SD | BROWARD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.4°F | 76.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.4°F | 91.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.4" ✓ Drier | 67.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 125,292 | 170,472 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 42.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 71.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.6% ✓ More | 20.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 18.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Allentown's cost of living index is 98.4 vs Pembroke Pines's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Allentown is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Pembroke Pines leads 13 of 20 categories. Allentown wins 7 and Pembroke Pines wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Allentown to Pembroke Pines or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($168,800 vs $379,900 median home), income ($52,449 vs $77,657), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Allentown, PA and Pembroke Pines, FL are about 1,045 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.